Amazing pace! Brothers’ record 3,000-mile Atlantic row
AFTER rowing 3,000 miles in just 35 days, it’s a wonder the MacLean brothers had the strength to stand up.
But middle sibling Jamie, 26, still found the energy for a blast of his bagpipes as he, Ewan, 27, and Lachlan, 21, celebrated becoming the youngest and fastest trio to row the Atlantic.
The brothers, from Edinburgh, yesterday completed the epic journey from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Nelson’s Harbour in Antigua.
They began the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge in a 28ft R45 Rannoch boat on December 12 and ended up braving waves of up to 40ft, heavy storms and busy shipping lanes.
Completing 1.5million strokes by keeping to a strict schedule of rowing for two hours and sleeping for one, the brothers overcame seasickness, blisters and sores.
They also battled dehydration and fatigue, burning 12,000 calories a day and losing around 20 per cent of their body weight. They had to row most of the way without any music, podcasts or audiobooks, as their iPhone cables succumbed to damage caused by seawater.
But being musicians, the brothers kept themselves entertained with bagpipes, a harmonica and a ukelele.
Ewan, a design engineer for Dyson in Bristol, described the feat as ‘the defining experience of my life’. He added: ‘It definitely tested our relationship, but it was remarkable how we were able to lift each other up as we struggled. It’s brought us closer together, although I am looking forward to getting to see and talk to some different people.’
The brothers hope to raise £250,000 for Scottish charity Children First and Feedback Madagascar, which helps poor communities on the African island. The previous record for a trio rowing the Atlantic was 41 days.